How to Properly Align Your Garage Door Sensors in Easy Steps
If you are facing problems with your garage door or if your garage door has stopped working or even malfunctioning, then it could be having problems. The garage door sensors, situated on both sides of the garage door, play a vital role in the proper operation of your garage door. The two parts, the emitter, which sends the signal, and the receiver, which receives the signal given by the emitter to open and close the door, work to make sure the optimal operation of your garage door. However, if those sensors cannot work properly, then it is possible that they are out of alignment, and you need to check your garage door sensor alignment.
So, let us discuss below how to properly align your garage door sensors.
Important steps to align your garage door sensors
The most vital thing you need to do before starting the procedure is to collect some specific tools, such as
- String
- Lever
- Electricity-resistant gloves
- Screwdriver
It is very important for your garage door sensors to remain aligned for them to work properly, and these are the steps to ensure that:
Step 1: Disconnect the power supply
As in this process, you need to work with wires, you should wear electricity-resistant gloves to ensure your safety. After wearing your gloves, remember to disconnect the power supply to the garage door sensors just by turning off their switch. Moreover, you can use the breaker box of your house to trip your garage door’s fuse.
Step 2: Loosening the screws
In the second step, you will have to loosen the mounting bracket screws of your garage door sensors. Then, rotate it anticlockwise, and continue this until they are open enough to become loose. However, you need to remember that taking the mounting brackets off isn’t a good idea, as you will need to slide them up and down after some time.
Step 3: Sliding the sensor downward
You may think it is much easier to slide the mounting bracket of your garage door up and down after the screws are loosened. Thus, you should use your bare hands to slide it downwards. Slide it down as low as required, ensuring that the garage door sensors remain inside the mounting bracket. If you use a wrench, it may create marks on the sensor and even can interfere with its operation.
Step 4: Attach the string and tie the knots
Now, let us talk about the main step of the procedure of garage door sensor alignment. Before starting, check the sensors to make sure they are in the right position and height you need them to be. After that, knot each end of the string to the garage door sensors and their mounting brackets. This project will ensure the success of the entire process. Thus, the string needs to look as straight as possible.
Step 5: Checking the level of the string
Now, take your level and put it below the string, checking if it runs levelly across the doorway. Next, press the level against the string for several seconds. If the string is leveled, you can now go to the next step. If not, try to adjust it until the level shows that the sensors are properly aligned.
Step 6: Tightening the screws
When both levels become properly aligned as per your leveler, you can try to fasten the screws. You need to tighten it until the sensor doesn’t move with pressure. Next, check with the leveler again to see if your sensors are aligned correctly.
Step 7: Testing
Lastly, turn the power back on and then check the sensors and test them to see if they can function properly. Therefore, if you need to align your garage door sensors, you can try out this procedure once. However, if you need expert help, just call Vegas Garage Door Repair, one of the renowned garage door repair specialists in Las Vegas.